Category Archives: Letters to Donna

As promised, and a feeble attempt to revive my wordpress account, I present to you… my June playlist:

1. Skin – Boy

I remember you and Darlyn liked this when I played it during our outing in Nagarao.

2. Riverside – Agnes Obel

I heard this one from an episode in “Revenge.” Try to watch it, their clothes are sooooo pretty. Story’s good, too.

3. Every Night – Imagine Dragons

You know you’re up for a good song when you see IMAGINE DRAGONS as the artist.

4. My Fault – Imagine Dragons

5. Sun – Sleeping At Last

Just recently discovered this one searching for TFIOS soundtrack. I have not watched the movie yet and have no access to a cinema here in Jeddah, so SHUSH about the movie.

6. Stay With Me – Sam Smith

I have my friend Farhana to thank for this one. I just love this song so much.

7. Budapest – George Ezra

8. 500 Miles – The Proclaimers

What’s not to love?

9. Pulses – Karmin

They got George Takei to do the intro for their video, that’s how awesome Karmin are (Oh myyyyy). Nick Noonan is a treat for both the ears and the eyes. Too bad he’s already engaged to Amy, the other half of Karmin. Then again Amy is uber awesome, so I guess I’ll try to be happy for Nicky. I’m in love with them both T.T .

“1. My transcripts are still being held hostage by the University of San Agustin.”

Why? Did you try to get them? I though you intentionally stalled acquiring them. Haven’t even surrendered my I.D. yet.

“2. I am not conventionally attractive.” & “3. I am skinny as hell, and people keep reminding me.”

Do not get me started on that bullshit. Pardon my french.

If I give you a compliment, will you take it? I’m gonna give it to you, not because we’re friends, but because I mean it.

There are so many kinds of pretty, and you’re one of them (me and Donna too! Hehe). I’ve always envied the way your eyes look. How even sloppy eyeliner makes it look good. Those eyelids, I like that shit. You have prominent cheekbones… mine haven’t been visible since… ever. You are slim, not skinny. AND… for someone who’s slim, you ‘re quite gifted in the chest area. What else could you ask for?

Sure, you’re on the light side, but not undernourished. You can eat like a pig and gain little weight. You’re living my dream. You don’t have much problems buying clothes (I love your fashion sense nowadays). If another person gives you shit again, just be like:

Regardless of how many pretty traits you have, the shouldn’t matter that much. You’re better than that.

“4. I still have no idea what to do with my life.”

Neither do I. Though I do have some ideas, and guess what, you guys are in it.

Ye Olde Pub is still on my top list. I really want it to happen, man, I really do. I can almost picture what it looks like. I want it to have books for our patrons to read, freshly brewed coffee, Khea’s pastries and cakes, beer, flowers in old mason jars, house plants in vintage tin cans, tea, wood pallets as shelves, black and white photographs… and so much more.

Hopefully, this can be part of your dream too.

I’m not exactly enjoying my job, either. Being a secretary isn’t all bad, it pays the bills, but… you know. That’s why I want Ye Olde Pub to happen.

It’s okay to feel crappy from time to time. Just know you are definitely not alone. Besides, you seem to be in a good place in your life. You’ve been travelling more often, visiting new places with Rico, and becoming a fabulous blogger! I love The Bookworm Vintage!

So remember…

and…

P.S.

If you have any ideas for Ye Olde Pub, shout them out! Let’s make it come true!

Just a few minutes ago, my overbearing (in a good way) boss dragged me back to work giving me a piece of paper that can secure my safety. Like I said in my last post, dependent expatriates, especially expat daughters, aren’t allowed to work. So anyway, hours after my post, I received a notification (which was from my relentless refreshing of the Ministry of Labor‘s website) that my application for transfer was approved, which was good news as far as my need to continue being employed. I only need to wait for the process to be finished: approval from the Jawazat, receiving my new iqama which should be under the sponsorship of my employer.

According to our HR, those of us whose sponsorships are not transferred yet, should not come to work and should wait for their notification to come back to work. Those of us who are currently being processed should have their “muqeems” (document stating our iqamas are being finalized, roughly speaking it can serve as temporary iqama) with them at all times.

The document that I received isn’t a muqeem. It’s a letter from the MOL addressed to the Jawazat office stating that it has been approved from their (MOL’s) side and that to proceed with the next step. If you as me, this isn’t enough to make me feel safe. But, my boss assured me that it’s legit and that it’s enough to secure me. I was like “Okaaay.” I was going to object one more time when she added that she already clarified things with our head honcho and the other bigwigs that the document that I have is enough. She saw I was still hesitant and gave me one of her “Seriously?” looks and said “Do you really think I’d let you come back to work without assuring your safety?” I was a little touched with her concern until she added “Let me rephrase, do you really think I would hold myself or the company liable for allowing someone who is unsecured to work here? Louise, please try to think. Your doubts are misplaced.”

Needless to say, I couldn’t say anything more. She did have a point, she knows the penalties for harboring or allowing an illegal or dependent to work (a staggering 100,000 SR or 1M pesos… each). So why would they risk letting me back in if I wasn’t in the clear? For now, I just complied. Though I didn’t wear my uniform and wore my comfiest Converse shoes in case I need to make an unexpected exit.

To be honest, I was looking forward to not going to work for a while. I didn’t mind waiting for the go signal from HR. But my boss really needed her team back so she really pushed for our papers. I’m thankful though that I’m still employed.

Last night, Darlyn and I were chatting and got to compiling a song list. Just like the ones you did. So here’s mine:

1. Marble Sounds – Time to Sleep

2. Lorde – Royals

3. Kat Edmonson – Lucky

4. Gabrielle Aplin – Panic Cord

5. Nina Nesbitt – Just Before Goodbye (or any of her songs… I love her)

6. The Honey Trees – To be with you

7. Natalie Walker – Waking Dream

8. Agnes Obel – Riverside

9. The Staves – Winter Trees

Anyway… discussions about awesome songs led to cool music videos (or was it the other way around?). Nevermind… we ended up talking about “Document Your Life” project and thought we could finally try it out. Sure our cameras aren’t that up to par… but that’s what awesome soundtracks are for!

But seriously, how are you guys? Morla, aka, Darlyn, is obviously head over heels based on her blogs. How bout you, Don? Law school treating you okay?

Anyway, I know both of you are curious as to what my previous blog is about. I know by now, you already have an inkling (lol understatement) as to what happened.

We’re currently working things out. Apparently, Aladdin’s been having his “man-struation.” He’s been so idle that he can’t help but think about anything and everything… including my shameful act. I can’t blame him. He’s usually so active and on-the-go, I can’t imagine him being idle. He has an interview this Friday. Hopefully he’ll get the job.

What’s up with the title, you say? Well, like I said in my previous blog, it seems that Aladdin is going through a phase (as Donna put it)… what’s worse is… he’s going through He-who-must-not-be-named (aka Donna’s former “Cat”) Phase.

You’re right, Don… he sounds like the Dead Cat. Oh, but I certainly hope he doesn’t act like him. I get relief in the fact that I know he’s better than that. And I do sincerely hope it’s just a phase. It’s been six months since we last saw each other, it’s the longest I’ve ever been in a long distance relationship. It’s tough. It doesn’t help that we might not see each other on my vacation next year, coz he might be on a ship by then. ARGH! This is harder than I expected.

He says he can feel himself changing a bit. What kind of change, I don’t know… he doesn’t know either. I don’t want him to change… but I know it’s something I cannot control.

I am doing everything I can to be good at this LDR thing. I focus on work, on family, I rarely go out (it’s kinda hard to spread your wings here), and I mostly read & do artwork… and maybe window shop when I get the chance.

Speaking of which, Darlyn, I found the most amaaaaaazing cardigan in H&M last week. It is so you! I couldn’t take a picture coz the salesmen were giving me the evil eye. But for sure you’d buy it in a heartbeat. I also found one for you, Don. leather jacket, sorta biker-ish but more chic. As for your beau, Darlyn, he asked me for a black thobe. Why? You ask him. I’ll try to find something better (and affordable).

Back to me (narcissistic, much?), I’m doing what I can to make my relationship with Aladdin work. Just pray that we pull through.

He says he loves me with all his heart and he would not think of abandoning me. He just wanted to let me know that he’s human and he might make mistakes. And that this LDR is not easy as he thought. I told him to try his best the same way I am. I don’t want to lose him… and I hope he doesn’t want to lose me. He says he doesn’t want to lose me, I hope it’s true.

It’s weird, huh? Before, I would’ve believed him in a millisecond. But after this… It’s like I don’t trust him (bad karma, wouldn’t you say?).

As I said in reply to her comment, she ain’t got that uhh… girly- pamby-soft kind of … appearance… to balance such an edgy cut.

We both know she’s more of the sporty – bookish charm kind of girl (just the way we like it).

Unless of course she uses eye liner (even just eye liner) to complement the do.

If she really desires to change her hair, go for color. Dye it a bit lighter, like copper or chocolate brown. And layer her hair a bit so that it’ll frame her face. Shaping her (and yours) brows won’t hurt (actually, it does but, you know what I mean).

I miss you guys too. Really.

There is so much I miss about you guys that I can’t put it in writing (at least not now, coz I’m at work).

Till the next letter,

Tinay

PS.

About the playlist, add that song you kept singing before “I’m just a summer a girl.. blah blah blah… who needs a boyfriend? I got my girl friends… ”